Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych waves to people at a campaign in Kiev, Dec. 24, 2004. Viktor Yanukovych won the presidential election with 49.46 percent of votes in the run-off on Nov. 21, the Ukrainian electoral committee announced. But his rival Viktor Yushchenko refused to recognize the result and announced a national politicalstrike to be held. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

Born on July 9, 1950 in a worker's family in Donetsk region, Yanukovych had a difficult childhood. His mother died when he was two years old and his remarried father turned over his care to a grandmother.

He studied at the Donetsk Polytechnic Institute and the Ukrainian Foreign Trade Institute and received a Master's degree.

He was a worker and a mechanic in a steel factory after 1969 and a leader of three transportation companies respectively after 1976.

In August 1996, Yanukovich was appointed vice governor of Donetsk region and became the governor in May 1997. He was named as prime minister by President Leonid Kuchma in November 2002.

Yanukovych is married and has two sons. He is fond of hunting and racing.